A change of scenery was needed, so we decided to head south and visit the Northumberland coast for a couple of days. Not a county we know well. A particular target was Roseate Tern, but there were plenty other things of interest to seek out along the coast. Visiting one of the many coastal wetlands to look for Barn Owl (which we failed to see!) we passed a farm with this Little Owl sitting outside on the wall. Another highlight was a damp meadow with a Grasshopper Warbler in full song.We did a couple of boat trips and did see Roseate Terns as well as plenty Sandwich and Arctic, but never close enough for good photos.​Butterflies were abundant too with lots of Small Skippers and Dark Green Fritillaries around the wet ponds.

We have been following Beavers in our area for a while now. This is our seventh season. In that time they have spread, but equally, they have been killed in some places. They now have legal protection but with caveats. For me, as a wildlife photographer they are exciting and challenging but when you get lucky, very rewarding. Last year, for the first time I enjoyed watching mutual grooming and, on a different evening one suckling. The enjoyment was spread over 33 evening visits.

This year's highlight so far has been this one grooming. To me, he resembled a large fat hairy man with a bar of soap in the shower. I even have a short video clip of his behaviour. Since I am not far away and visible a part of the pleasure is when your subjects allows you to share a moment.

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Eric & Lesley McCabePerth, Scotland.Having both worked in the computer industry for a number of years we now have time to devote to our passion, namely wildlife photography. We like all subjects but usually concentrate on birds throughout the year, buttterflies and Dragonflies in the warmer months and moths sporadically.